Adrenalectomy does not influence basal secretion of testosterone in rat in vivo

We have studied the effect of adrenalectomy on the testicular secretion of testosterone in the rat. In the acute period following adrenalectomy plasma testosterone levels were reduced but this was no different from those levels in appropriate sham-operated controls. This reduction in plasma testosterone levels is probably a result of direct effects of anaesthesia and surgical stress. Whilst studies on the late effect of adrenalectomy avoided this problem, plasma testosterone levels were normal in both adrenalectomised and sham-operated animals. Resetting of anterior pituitary-gonadal relationships may mask the absence of any contribution made by the adrenal gland to testicular steroidogenesis. In contrast to previous data we were unable to demonstrate that adrenalectomy influenced the secretion of testosterone in the male rat.